Letter Prepared by L Mony to be submitted to all GM's

To

THE CHAIRMAN

RAILWAY BOARD, RAIL BHAVAN,

NEW DELHI.

Respected Sir,

Sub: Expedite recruitment of Assistant Loco Pilots.

With most concern this union desire to bring the following issue for your immediate intervention.

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Railway Safety-The Hindu News

THE HINDU

Fund cuts, at the cost of rail safety

K. BALCHAND

NEW DELHI, May 1, 2011

Even as the Arunima incident has rattled the Railways, a series of other mishaps has posed a question mark over the safety of high-end trains, putting officials in a fix.

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Stone Throwing incident

Railways hit by two stone pelting incidents

Thursday, May 5, 2011, 3:00 IST
By DNA Correspondent | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA

Two commuters were injured in separate incidents of stone pelting on suburban railway tracks, at Byculla and Wadala, on Tuesday night. Both were admitted to Sion Hospital by the railway police. While one of them was discharged after first aid, the other is under going treatment.

Navanath Karale, 39, who works as a driver, said, “After dropping my boss at his Colaba residence, I came to Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) and boarded a Thane-bound slow local at around 9.13pm to go to my home at Ghatkopar. There was rush in the second-class compartment, and hence I was standing near the door. When the train was passing between Byculla and Chinchpokli, a boy standing near the tracks flung a stone at me which hit my chin. Some co-commuters helped me alight at Dadar and informed the railway police. They rushed me to Sion Hospital where I was administrated four stitches before being allowed to go home.”

The police have registered a case under section 152 (maliciously hurting or attempting to hurt person/s traveling in trains) of the Indian Railway Act, but not arrests have been made so far.

The other victim, Satish Tari, 30, a resident of Kharghar in Navi Mumbai, boarded a Panvel-bound local at CST at around 9.12pm.

He was standing near the door in the second class compartment when the train was between Wadala and GTB Nagar railway stations. An unidentified boy flung a stone towards the commuters, which hit him below the right eye. He alighted at GTB Nagar railway station where the railway policemen rushed him to Sion Hospital. He is undergoing surgery.

“We have registered a case and a manhunt has been launch

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Air Pilots Strike

Panel says VIPs often pressure chopper pilots to operate in adverse conditions

Special Correspondent

Many accidents due to non-observance of operating manuals: Yechury

Students of Arunachal Pradesh light candles to pay tribute to Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu in Guwahati on Wednesday. — Photo: PTI

A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture has expressed concern over instances of take off and landing of helicopters in low visibility, bad weather and even during nights, saying these were serious breaches of aviation security norms.

In its 168 {+t} {+h} and 169 {+t} {+h} reports presented to Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Hamid Ansari on Wednesday, the 30-member committee with CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury as its chairman, said that technicians, including pilots, were often put under pressure to ignore minor deficiencies and undertake helicopter sorties.

“It happens mainly in the case of chartered helicopters and those under the State governments flying VIPs. Such violations of rules have led to fatal accidents, losing several precious lives,” the report said.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Yechury said lack of proper maintenance and non-observance of operating manuals, mechanical failures and lack of needed instruments had been found as the causes of such helicopter accidents.

Expressing shock over the death of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Khandu Dorjee in a Pawan Hans chopper crash near Tawang, Mr. Yechury said Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. Rajshekhar Reddy and Lok Sabha Speaker G.M.C. Balayogi had also lost their lives in helicopter crashes.

He favoured a penal provision against those putting pressure on pilots to fly helicopters without proper clearances. “Conversely, strictest actions should be taken against those pilots/technicians who violate these requirements even under some kind of duress,'' he said.

Mr. Yechury said the committee was surprised to note that around 120 aircraft, which might include helicopters, were not capable of operating in hilly terrains as they lacked the necessary instruments.

The committee has recommended that the government address the issue of shortage of helicopter pilots on priority since the industry was gaining momentum rapidly. The committee felt that the government should appoint a panel of experts to review the present system of examination and procedures for giving licences to pilots. It noted that for monitoring proficiency of pilots operating over 250 helicopters, the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was having just four helicopter inspectors on secondment basis from the industry.

Referring to the DGCA – Issues and Challenges, the committee noted that a large number of positions were lying vacant in the DGCA for years due to a prolonged procedure or non-availability of suitable candidates.

The committee has recommended creation of an independent authority for accident investigation on an urgent basis, as this would instil confidence among the travelling public. While pitching for strengthening of the DGCA by giving it more financial and administrative autonomy, the committee felt that the entire licensing system of the DGCA should be streamlined and made transparent by making it available in the public domain.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article1992222.ece

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Another Hit

Fuel prices may be hiked next week

Sujay Mehdudia

With the last phase of the Assembly polls in West Bengal scheduled for May 10, the government is all set to hike the price of petrol and diesel. Indications are that a marginal hike in the price of domestic LPG too is likely to set off the massive losses being incurred by oil marketing companies (OMCs).

With huge mounting losses, due to sale of petroleum products at subsidised rates, the heads of OMCs are waiting for the Assembly elections to be over to allow them to go ahead with the petrol price hike. Petrol was de-controlled in June last year.

With diesel still under government control, a meeting of the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has been reportedly convened for May 11 to consider a hike in diesel prices. “We have been pressing for a hike in petrol prices and want the government to revise diesel prices for the last two months. But the government has not given the go-ahead in view of the sensitivity of the situation as Assembly elections were on. Hopefully, we will get a positive response after the polls are over to hike prices,” an OMC official said.

It is leant that the OMCs are demanding that the price of diesel be hiked at least by Rs. 5 per litre and that of petrol by Rs. 3 per litre. The EGoM will debate the issue of mounting losses of the OMCs, which are likely to touch Rs. 180,000 crore in 2011-12.

The State-owned Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited are now losing Rs. 16.17 a litre on diesel. The companies have been restrained from raising the prices of petrol in view of the elections.

Besides petrol and diesel, the three State oil firms lose Rs. 29.69 a litre on kerosene and Rs. 329.73 per 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder. “Losses on petrol are not included in the under-recovery figures for 2011-12 as it is a decontrolled commodity,” a Petroleum Ministry official said. The basket of crude oil India buys had averaged $83.57 per barrel in 2008-09 and calculations for the current fiscal have been done at the prevailing rates of around $110 a barrel.

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Train Accident

5^th May 2011.

Two killed as train, jeep collide in Nalgonda

V. N. Harinath

Two persons were killed and 12 others injured when the jeep in which they were travelling was hit by Janmabhoomi Express, at Rallavagu Thanda level crossing in the district on Wednesday.

The dead included a B.Tech student and a girl.The condition of two among the injured is said to be serious.

As many as 14 were in the jeep when the train from Secunderabad bound for Guntur hit the vehicle at around 9.30 a.m.

The bodies were brought to the Government Hospital at Miryalaguda while the two grievously injured were being rushed to Osmania General Hospital in Hyderabad.

The victims, who belong to Vinukonda in Guntur district, are said to be relatives of Member of Legislative Council and Congress Whip Bharati Ragya Naik.

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Train accident.

Bolangir, Orissa:

At least 26 people were injured, some of them seriously, when Koraput-Rourkela Express collided with a goods train at Sikir railway station in Orissa's Bolangir district early on Wednesday, police said.

The accident occurred as the goods train was moving out of Sikir and the express train was entering the station on the same track, Bolangir Superintendent of Police Ajay Kumar Sarangi said.

The trains collided head on causing injuries to at least 26 persons, he said.

The injured were admitted to hospital at Titlagarh where the condition of some passengers was stated to be serious, Sarangi said, adding a relief train was rushed to the accident site from Titlagarh.

The 18108 Koraput-Rourkela Express had stopped Titlagarh station a few minutes before the accident and it did not have a scheduled stop at Sikir.

Senior railway officials rushed to the site and efforts were on to ascertain the cause of the collision, which occurred shortly after 12.30 am, railway sources said.

Train services were affected on the track following the accident and efforts were on to restore normal traffic, they said.

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Press Note

AILRSA strongly protest against the attack on Sri R Elangovan Working President Dhakshina Railway Employees Union(DREU) Recognised Railway Trade Union of Southern Railway and Sri T Sabu,Working President, Nairuthya Railway Employees Union(NREU) a Registered Trade union at South Western Railway affiliated to CITU, during a campaign program at Diesel Shed Hubli (EMD Shed). NREU comrades were distributing notice on 28.04.11 to the employees about NEW PENSION SYSTEM. By around 11 hours some goondas under the leadership of Sri AM D Cruz, General Secretary,South Western Railway Mazdoor Union( SWRMU) came and beaten the NREU comrades in the presence of Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer Sri. Deshpande and Railway Protection Force.

In a democratic country all the trade unions have rights to propagate their views and ideas. But SWRMU is trying to spread a undemocratic and goonda culture. AILRSA warn them to stop such activities in future.

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Interim order from CAT Chennai

DREU got an Interim order from CAT/Chennai directing payment of Death gratuity and family pension to the families of Employees who died after 01.01.2004 as per Railway Service (pension) Rules 1993.
for full text of order visit DREU web site.
www.dreu.org

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DREU Challenged NPS at CAT Chennai

New Pension Scheme for railway employees challenged

The new pension scheme introduced by the Union Government for railway employees has been challenged in the Madras Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal.

An employee of the southern railway and Dakshin Railway Employees Union (DREU) have challenged the scheme terming it unconstitutional and invalid.

According to the new scheme, employees appointed on or after 01.01.2004 in the Railways would be governed by the new pension scheme which would be governed by 'Pension Fund Regulatory Development Authority' which would function under the overall control of Ministry of Finance. According to the new scheme, 10% of Pay and DA of an employee would be deducted and an equal amount would be contributed by the central government.

The entire pension scheme is being authorized through various executive orders, which cannot be done to govern the retirement benefits of government employees which has to be in tune with Articles 41 to 43 of the Constitution, alleges the application. The notifications issued by the government constituting PFRDA dated 10.10.2003 and 14.11.2008 are unconstitutional, as they have not been issued by the President of India and authenticated as required under Article 77 of the Constitution and the ordnance sanctioning this also lapsed in 2005, which renders the entire process without authority of law alleges DREU in its application.

The new pension scheme, which is mandatory to government employees curtails them from exercising any option said V. Daniel, a Helper in Southern Railway. According to the New Pension Scheme, any citizen of India can join the Scheme and they can choose their Fund Managers or opt for different schemes whereas no such option is available to government servants.

The application also raised serious apprehension over the way in which their funds are being exposed to market risk and they cite the risk clause in the offer document of the NPS which says that "there are no guarantee on investments and investments involve risks such as trading volumes, settlement risk, liquidity risk, default risk, including possible loss of principal'. The application also cited the statement of PFRDA Chairman that pension fund managers regulated by PFRDA are not giving minimum guarantee on returns in their products.

Besides seeking quashing of the notification and grant retiral benefits to all employees on par with those who joined prior to January 1994, the application sought an interim injunction against the notification and also to release family pension and gratuity to certain employees who died after the introduction of the new scheme.

The matter came up before the Madras Bench of the CAT comprising Members K. Elango and R. Satapathy. Counsel R. Vaigai advanced arguments on behalf of the DREU and highlighted how the funds of the employees are being entrusted with private players and are subjected to undue risks. She also apprised the Bench that the government as an employer cannot transfer its funds to a private player and expect him to discharge government's obligation.

After hearing the arguments on behalf of the applicant and of the central government, the Bench ordered interim relief directing the railway authorities to offer gratuity and family pension to all employees who joined after January 2004 within four weeks from the date of application and posted the matter for June 1.

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Pass rules clarification-CPO letter

Central Railway General Managers Office

Personnel Branch

Chathrapathi Sivaji Terminus

Mumbai

No. HPB/21865 –T/Policy

Dated 01.03.2011

Sub: Issue of Ist Class Pass to Running Staff

In terms of Para 3.23 (d) of Railway Boards letter dated 17.07.1981,

30% of the basic pay of running staff can be taken into account for deciding entitlement to passes and PTO”S & such individual members of the running staff who are already entitled to a higher class of Pass / PTO on regular basis as on 31.07.1981 will continue to be eligible to such passes/ PTO”s . Further Board vide letter No.E (P&A) 11-2005/RS-34 dated 26.12.2008 have reiterated that the pay element in Running allowance for running staff would be 30% of the basic pay under the Railway Service (Revised Pay) Rules 2008 for computation of the specified benefits.

Consequent upon revision of pay scales on the basis of decision of the Government on the recommendations of the 6th pay commission, Railway Board vide letter No.E (W)2008/PS-5-1/38 dated 06.01.2011 have issued instructions on entitlements of passes/ PTO”s in respect of Railway Servant drawing pay in the Railway Services (Revised Pay) Rules 2008, which has been circulated to all concerned vie this office letter of even number dated 10.01.2011

In terms of Boards instructions dated 17.07.1981 mentioned above, it had been decided that the entitlements of this higher class of privilege pass/ PTO/duty passes of running staff of both operating and loco may be arrived at after adding 30% running allowance to their Grade Pay.

This issue with the approval of the competent Authority.

ONIMA KORTA

Asst Personnel Officer

For Chief Personnel Officer

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CWC

Notice for CWC meeting on 29^th, 30^th May 2011 in AILRSA’s Office at Ghaziabad

The meeting of CWC is hereby called at Ghaziabad in AILRSA office on 29^th, 30^th may 2011, starting from 14 Hrs. of 29^th May 2011. The meeting is scheduled as under:

On 29.05.2011 - from 14 Hrs to 19 Hrs.

(Without Break)

On 30.05.2011 - From 10 Hrs. to 14:30 Hrs

(Without Break)

Com, will make their reservation for Up / Dn. Journey accordingly to enable themselves to be present in the meeting. All the CWC members are requested to make their convenience to be present in the meeting treating it as most important.

Agenda:

1. Review of implementation of Past Program Organization position and our task.

2. Next course of action, in view, of letter of Ministry for Labour.

3. M / Ship, CQ, levy for Khurda Road Division in East. Coast. Railway.

4. Central BGM

5. Any other subject with the permission of chair.

(M. N.Prasad)

Secretary General

AILRSA

Note:-

Com,

Being fully discussed the Organization position, mental condition / preparation of workers and possible next course of action of the different levels in your Zone, you please come to attend the CWC meeting which may help us to draw a appropriate line of action.

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CWC

AILRSA CWC Meeting at Ghaziabad on 29 and 3o May 2011.

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AILRSA-SWR BGM

All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA) South Western Railway Zonal Biennial General Body Meeting held at EMS Bhavan, Yeswanthpur on 08.04.2011. Welcomed by Sri. R Surendran and presided by Sri A Jayachandran.

Conferences was Inaugurated by Sri MN Prasad, All India Secretary General, AILRSA.

Sri VJK Nair, All India Vice President CITU, delivered Key note address.

Sri L Mony, Central President AILRSA, Sri. KC James, Central Assistant Secretary General, Sri MM Roly, Central Organising Secretary, Sri G Rajan, Ex Central Vice President and Legal Advisor of NREU, Sri Geomy George, Zonal Secretary, Southern Railway were addressed the Conference.

Sri C. Sunish, Submitted working Report and K Rajesh submitted treasurer report, conference after discussion passed both.

Vote of thanks by Sri D Rajkumar.

New office bearers elected.

President : Sri.SD Arnold, Hubli

Working President :Sri.R Surendran,LP Mail, Bangalore

Vice Presidents : Sri T Sabu,LP Goods, Hubli

Sri. Joshil.CK ,LP Goods, Hubli

Sri P Easwaran,LP Goods, SGT ,Bangalore.

General Secretary : Sri .C.Sunish, LP Passenger, Bangalore

Organising Secretary : Sri K Nishad, LP Goods, Vasco depot, Hubli.

Joint Secretaries :Sri. Dixith AK, Sr.A L P, Hubli

Sri.Pankaj Kumar, LP Goods ,Hospet

SriS.K. Swanakar, LP Goods, Arsikere

Treasurer : Sri S Jagadeesan, LP Passenger, Bangalore

Internal Auditor : Sri. KV Shajimon, LP Goods, SGT, Bangalore

Zonal Executive Committee Members

1. Sri. Sunil.M ,LP Goods,Hubli

2. Sri. Sanjai Atota, LP Goods,Hubli

3. Sri. KR.Janardhana , LP Passenger, Bangalore

4. Sri. Eric Rodriguez, LP Mail, Bangalore

5. Sri P Nagaiah, LP Mail, Bangalore

6. Sri Rajendra Raju, LP Goods, Hospet

7. Sri N .V. Priyesh, Sr A L P, Hubli

8. Sri.P. Ramesan, LP Goods, Sakleshpur, Mysore

9. Sri ML Meena, Sr ALP Hubli

10. Sri Kumaravel, LP goods, Hubli,

11. Sri Palash Ghash, ALP,Hubli

12. Sri KT Achari, LP Pass, Hubli

13. Sri PK Sajeev, Sr ALP, Bangalore

14. Sri Geoge Pentaleon, LP Goods, SGT

15. SriV. Vipin, ALP, SGT

16. Sri N Mallikarjuna, LP Shunter, Bangalore

17. Sri B N Singh, LPGoods, Harihar..

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SWR BGM

All India Loco Running Staff Association(AILRSA)

4^th South Western Railway Zonal Biennial

General Body Meeting

On 08.04.2011 from 9 hrs.

At EMS Bhavan,

Near to ISKCON Temple, Yeswanthpur,

Inauguration: Com. MN Prasad, Secretary General AILRSA

Chief Guest: Com. VJK Nair, All India Vice President, CITU

Speakers:

Com. L Mony, Central President, AILRSA

Com. KAS Mani, Central Vice President, AILRSA

Com. G Rajan, EX CVP AISMA, Legal Advisor, NREU.

At 16 hrs:

Formation meeting of Reception Committee

All India Conference of AILRSA

Proposed to conduct at Bangalore

In May 2012.

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Latest Development-RLC letter.

No. 1-41011/128/2010 IR, B New Delhi, 24.03.2011

Government of India / Bharath Sarkar

Ministry of Labour

To

(1) The Deputy Director Estt. IR,I

Ministry of Railways, Railway Board

Rail Bhavan

New Delhi

(2) The Secretary General

All India Loco Running Staff Association

AILRSA Bhavan, No.333

Ghaziabad, UP

Sub: ID between the Secretary General, All India Loco Running

Staff Association and the Management of Railways

Sir,

I am directed to refer to the failure of conciliation report No. ND X (17)/2009-PA dated 01.11.2010, from the Regional Labour Commissioner (C) New Delhi received I the Ministry on 18.11.2010 on the above mentioned subject and to say that prima facie this Ministry does not consider this dispute fit for adjudication for the following reason.

“Most of the demands raised by the union are under active consideration by the management. The union should wait for the decision of various committees”.

Yours faithfully

(Ramesh Singh)

Desk Officer

Dear Comrades,

You may please find enclosed herewith, the copy of a letter dated 24.03.2011 received on 31.03.2011 from Ministry of Labour in response of our representation for sending our case to Industrial Tribunal, which clearly reflects their stand. This decision as reflected in the letter appears to be taken under the influence of Railway Administration going back from the assurance which has been given to us by the Ministry. However, it once reflects our case has a sufficient justification. However, I am sending a protest representation to Ministry of Labour requesting to limit the time may for a month to finalize our case.

In view of above development, I would like to suggest that the program of 6^th April 2011 should be changed from Hunger Strike for 24hrs to Mass rally at Divisional levels and memo to be submitted to the Chairman Railway Board, through respective DRM copy to Hon’ble Minister for Labour, Shram Shakti Bhawan, New Delhi copy of the memo is also sent herewith.

The letter of Labour Ministry should be well circulated amongst staff for their information.

Your’s comradely

(M. N. Prasad)

To,

The Chairman,

Railway Board,

Rail Bhawan,

New Delhi

Sir,

Reg: - Addressing our grievances which were under conciliation through RLC (C) New Delhi for about one year and conciliation end with failure

Ref: - Letter of Dated: - 24.03.2011 from Ministry of Labour to Ministry of Railways and Secretary General / AILRSA in concerned with above.

As we came to know form above referred letter of Ministry for Labour as well as from RLC (C) conciliation’s proceeding on the different dates, the Railway Administration all along maintaining their stand that our grievances are under active consideration by the management and the Union should wait for final decision of various committees.

Sir, the Loco Running Staff are eagerly and patiently waiting for a final decision on their genuine and justified demands for a long period i.e. all most all for one and half year or more but still a final decision is yet to come and on the other hand the Loco Running Staff further discriminated badly on the matter of MACP, safety related voluntary retirement scheme and selection procedure of Loco inspectors, In detail representation on this matter have already been submitted centrally.

Sir, the Loco Running Staff of Indian Railway proved beyond any doubt that they are very interested to maintain Industrial peace and productivity in the Railway, despite of huge vacancies, short of cadres but due to this abnormal delay in settling the issues now they are loosing their patience.

I therefore on behalf of the AILRSA / ……………… Division request your honour to settle the issues to the satisfaction of Loco Running Staff at an earliest latest within a month to maintain a cordial Labour relation.

With thanks,

Yours faithfully

( )

Divisional Secretary

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